KARACHI, July 22: A literary reference in memory of erudite critic and writer, the late Jamal Panipati, was held here on Thursday. Presided over by Jamiluddin Aali, the arrangements were made by Agha Noor Mohammad, resident director Adbiyat. Among those who condoled the death of the noted writer and spoke briefly on his life and work included Sajjad Mir, Mobin Mirza, Prof (Dr) Tahir Masood, Farasat Rizvi, Jamal’s son Rizwan and some others. Rashid Noor conducted the proceedings.

Aali recalled his association with Jamal when both were budding poets and popular “mushaira voice”. Their love and respect for each other remained a life-long bond despite literary and ideological differences. Relationship on personal grounds was stranger than ideological leanings, Aali observed. Jamal came in contact with Askari and left poetry behind, giving maximum time in the study of Persian, Arabic, Sufism and philosophy. Askari, Shamim Ahmad and Jamal were classical and also modern in many ways, like-minded and most after agreed to differ.

Farast Rizvi read out an essay eulogizing Jamal for his modesty and sincerity with literature.

Mobin Mirza, Dr Tahir Masood and Sajjad Mir, all of them having devotional attachment with Jamal Panipati, spoke on his personal and literary qualities.

The shocked and aggrieved son, Rizwan, described the conditions which led him to the hospital and kept him there for around 10 days. Later, fateha was offered for the departed soul.

A similar condolence meeting, attended by writers and academics, was held at the office of Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu on Thursday morning.—H.A